And it has also been very influential on Latin music from the Americas (which Spain colonized). The Spanish sound has captured the hearts and creativity of players and listeners alike. For example, composers such as Scarlatti and Ravel have composed in the Spanish style. Many composers throughout Western Europe were influenced by Spanish guitar. We often instantly recognize this when we hear it played. Flamenco guitar uses the Spanish guitar scales (and Spanish guitar chords with strumming). And it often stems from the Flamenco guitar-playing tradition. These songs (pieces) are written to play on classical guitars. “Spanish guitar” also refers to a style of music from Spain. And eventually, it became the classical or Spanish guitar we find so many people playing today. Through the following centuries, it morphed into the Baroque guitar. It was derived from the Spanish vihuela and gittern (historic instruments) back in the 1400-1500s.
The classical (Spanish) guitar uses chords in songs to create layers of melody and harmony. These are the precursors to today’s steel-string acoustic guitar and electric guitar. Traditionally, these strings were made of gut (animal intestine). The classical or Spanish guitar is an acoustic instrument made of wood by luthiers (guitar makers). This is also known as a classical guitar. The term “Spanish guitar” is used mainly in two ways.
